It's Time For the FEST November GIVEWAY!

Tweet This month our Giveaway is sponsored by Cory of AquarianBath of Daytona Beach. Cory makes wonderful and delicious natural soaps, specialty salves, natural perfumes, hand sewn lavender neck pillows and grows her own herbs for her organic products.

This Giveaway is her scrumptious “Yin Ylang Soap” scented with organic, wild harvested Ylang Ylang-Extra, Frankincense and Cedar wood essential oil. Oh so Yummmmy!

This especially lovely, cold-process soap is rain forest and Orangutan friendly; no palm oils are included. The bar is approximately 4.5 oz.

All of Cory’s items are made from scratch and formulated by her and are either unscented or lightly scented with pure essential oils.

You can visit Cory at her Etsy Store to see more of her luxurious wares at: http://aquarianbath.etsy.com/

HOW TO ENTER: Enter to win this fabulous scented soap by visiting AquarianBath at her Etsy Shop or any of the FEST Team members listed to the left on this page. Find your favorite item, share it with us and tell us why you love it. Remember to add your email address so we can contact you if you are the Winner!

Entries accepted until November 20th.Winner picked on 11/25/09. Simple and Easy!

Sept Team Challenge Winner!

Tweet Congratulations Zizzybob on winning the Birthday themed Sept. team challenge! My Birthday just happens to be in Sept and I would have been beyond happy to receive a Zizzybob Bday postcards in the mail!

These mini quilted works of art make just saying “Hello” or “Thank You” a special treat! Stop by the Zizzybob store and pick out postcards to keep on hand for every occasion. You can get these unique cards for about the same price as a fancy (but not nearly as cute or handmade!) card from the store.

Postcards aren’t the only things you’ll find at Zizzybob. Check out this adorable little gobbler! Tom the Turkey is dying to be a part of your Thanksgiving dinner (pun intended ;))! And for only $17, you couldn’t find a more perfect or less expensive center piece for your Thanksgiving table.

Barbara, the talent behind Zizzybob, also hand crafts coiled fabric bowls. This traditional craft is finding a new place in modern décor and she has lots of styles and designs to choose from.


Find more Zizzybob handiwork on her blog: www.justalittlezizzy.blogspot.com

Interview with AquarianBath

Tweet Meet Cory of AquarianBath

Who are you?

My name is Cory Trusty. I'm an herbalist, soap maker and gardener. I like to grow wild craft herbs and grow herbs organically. I am originally from the Seattle area where I studied Biology at the University of Washington and Traditional Chinese medicine at an herbal college.

I give community herbal workshops, consultations, and teach community herbal classes in St. Augustine at Maggie's Herb Farm.

***

I have a five year old daughter who I am home schooling. She and I take care of five hens who free range in the back yard and give us high quality eggs. My husband is very supportive and encouraging of my business and designs Solar Powered Computer networks called SolarNetOne.

What do you create?

I make a variety of natural soaps and body products from scratch with all natural ingredients. I also make herbal remedies with home grown and wild harvested herbs, and sew lavender flax neck pillows. Recently I added natural perfumes to my etsy store. I also make jewelry, but I haven't had time yet to set up and market a new etsy shop for that.

How did you get started?

I had two years of professional herbal training which was primarily lectures and book learning. I taught myself the hands on aspects with the help of various books, websites and herbal communities. I think it helped that before that I worked in a biology lab as a research technician for a number of years. Calculating concentrations, converting units, using scales and formulating is relatively easy for me.

What is unique about your products?

All of my products are made from scratch and formulated by me, so they are unique by definition. I don't use melt and pour bases or premixed oil blends. All of my products are also Orangutan and Rain forest friendly which means that they do not include palm oil or sodium palmate. .

What other interests do you have?

I volunteer in a community garden called Fair Share once or twice a week (http://wedigfairshare.org). The purpose of the project is to create sustainable local food sources in our urban communities. Right now I am selling raffle tickets for our fundraising event we are having called Hallowgreen, which will be a free family event held at the City Island Farmer's Market in Daytona Beach on Halloween morning. We are hoping to raise enough funds to dig a well for a large cultivation area on which we will raise food for low income families in need. At this time we have a demonstration garden in which we grow vegetables, give free workshops focused on how to grow organic vegetables and use herbs.

Where in Florida do you live?

I have lived in urban Volusia County near Daytona Beach for the last six years. My husband is a Daytona native. It is nice that we have his family here in town. I love the beach and have the feeling that I'm on a permanent vacation.

What are some other sites to find out more about you ?

My main website is AquarianBath.com.

On it you can find :

My blog

my facebook business page

my local events and classes

my twitter page

My flickr page

What was you worst crafting disaster?

There have been a few disasters for certain. One of the worst was a couple of years ago when I made a batch of Dark Stout soap with some Guinness that had not gone completely flat. When I added the sodium hydroxide to the beer, a caustic volcano erupted in my kitchen and poured down my counters and onto the floor. Yikes!

What makes you laugh?

My five year daughter brings a lot of joy to my life. She has so many amazing observations and cute ideas. I can't help smiling and laughing about many of her antics or clothing choices.

What was an embarrassing moment in your life?

I was at a show selling as usual, when I accidentally sat in a container of cheesy nachos. What a shock! I felt like an overgrown baby who needed a diaper change, but it was a great excuse to buy a fancy new lavender dress from the vendor next door.

Need to treat yourself to something special or get started Christmas shopping? Visit AquarianBath!

The Etsy Video Promo Winner!

Tweet Etsy hosted a contest to choose a great video to promote their site.
The theme was "Handmade Moment" and it could only be 30 seconds long.
The top entrants are visible on youtube after you watch this winning video. They had a difficult time awarding only one winner and will be using all these films to promote ETSY in the future!

My favorite is "Mr. Squid's Handmade Moment" - 3rd runner-up!
Which one is your favorite?

Vote For Your Favorite "Spooky" Artwork!!!

Tweet The poll closed and we have a winner, CreativeArtCenter !
Look for a feature article about this artist in November.

We have an unbelieveable group of artists!!!
Halloween must be a big favorite because 17 Members jumped into the "SPOOKY"challenge. What a variety of items!


"Halloween Handbag" by iWunder




"Boy's Halloween Mummy Longalls" by Kid's Fashions






"Black Magic Clarifying Charcoal Soap" by AquarianBath


"Halloween Headband and Clippie Set" by FlyByNiteCreations



"Spooky Halloween Fabric Postcard" by zizzybob

"Mini Dracula Plush Monster" By Handmade3D

"Spooky Halloween Silver Cocktail Ring" by RecreationalArt

"Bite Me" mosaic by Acenal

"Silver Eyeglass Holder with Spooky Cat" by Angeloco

"Skeleton Domino Pendant" by QuirkyDolls

"Witch Is Me" art doll by FringeArtst

"Witches Brew" by CinfulArt

"Lil' Halloween Tote - Sparkly Spiders" by JeniLuScraps

"PSpooky Halloween Hat" by CreativeArtCenter

The Winner with 66 votes!!!!!!

"Halloween Romance Necklace" by GreenHeathTreasures

Halloween Lampwork Bead Set ..............by Fragiacomoglassart

SPARKLY Winner QuirkyDolls!!

Tweet And the winner of the SPARKLE challenge is… brrdrdrdrr (that’s a drum roll of course!)… a FEST blogger extraordinaire, Terry of Quirky Dolls!

Terry’s creativity is evident not only in the design of her quirky dolls, but also in her item descriptions. The stories in each of her listings make me want to meet these little characters for myself. Allow me introduce you to the sparkly beauty who won this challenge, Julia:

Julia loves her hip hop classes and recitals. I think it's ALL about the costumes! She lives, eats and sleeps in costume decora! This harajuku fashion and makeup is her absolute FAVORITE...Ask her anything about Japanese fads and trends... she knows it all!
Julia is a 12 inch soft body doll wearing a satin lavender "Hello Kitty" and dragonfly trimmed dress. She is adorned with an eclectic mix of cute charms, ribbons, flowers and beads.
Her gorgeous face is painted with glitter, gems and petite geisha lips. Add a fuzzy blooming cushion and she's "over the top" with Japans favorite fashion!
Not safe for children under 6.

Terry is keeping it quirky with her latest addition, domino pendants. Check out this super cute elephant design. Click on over to her shop to see some really great Halloween themed pendants as well (I hope we’ll get to see one of those with this month’s SPOOKY challenge!).


Terry’s attention to detail, beautiful handiwork, and imaginative combination of materials is sure to make the Quirky Dolls shop one of your favorites!

See more Quirky Doll goodness on the blog, twitter!

We Have A Winner!

Tweet Our September Challenge winner is the
" Fabric Happy Birthday Postcard" by zizzybob! She just joined our team in August! Well deserved and thanks to all who entered.
Our FESTies are some very talented people! We look forward to reading the feature article all about zizzybob, here in November :)

Take some time to visit our member's shops by following the links on the left sidebar. Recently all updated with many new active busy members and
WOW !!!we have a FANTASTIC variety of artisans here in the SUNSHINE STATE of Florida!

The October Challenge is currently underway, accepting entries through October 15th, in the etsy forum . Follow the link on the left sidebar.
The theme is "Spooky",Whaaaaaaa Haaaaa!

September "Happy Birthday" Handmade Challenge

Tweet Our talented group submitted 14 entries into the

Happy Birthday

themed September Challenge! It's going to be hard to pick a favorite, but you must choose only ONE and vote by October 5th. The poll is in the sidebar.

All photos link to the shops for more information and views.

Good Luck to all contestants!



Scarlet Fandango Bracelet by innermusejewelry

Happy Birthday Fabric Postcard by zizzybob

Cotton Candy Furry Party Hat by ohbabydotcom

Pan Cake Ceramic Sculpture by FRINGEARTIST

September Gems by kari1121

Autumn Quilt by mmtoadz

Saphire Mix Ring by RecreationalArt

Irish Love - The Claddagh by RapierGlass

Polka Dot Cupcake Pouch by JeniLuScraps

6x6 Mixed Media on Tile by KathleenMarieKelly

Swarovski September Cross by Novella

Wire Fish Sculpture by WonderfulWire

Starfish Crystal Pendant by GladRaggz

Happy Birthday Magnet by glimpsesandremains

This contest ended October 6th.

Interview with iWunder

Tweet Meet Jennifer of iWunder

Who are you?

My name is Jennifer Wunderlich, and I am a scientist and teacher by day, and a compulsive knitter by night. I grew up in Southern Maryland surrounded by tobacco fields, left all that behind to pursue a marine biology degree at Eckerd College, and have been bopping around the country every since. I have taught various forms of science and math in various types of educational settings, and have lived in fabulous places like Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming and near the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia.

***

I currently live in St Petersburg, Florida, where I met and married my husband Ray. He owns a vitamin store and graciously gave me a really long German last name that means “odd or strange in a brilliant, magical sort of way.” We spend our time traveling around the state visiting parks and preserves, and keeping lists of all the Florida native plants we encounter.

***

Nerd + Nerd = True Love.

***

When I am not studying municipal solid waste and landfills, my current research topic of choice for my masters degree in Environmental Science and Policy at USF St Pete, I am buried under mountains of yarn in my living room. I worm my way out occasionally, knitting needles in hand, only to dive into another mountain of luxurious fibers and see what sort of inspiration hits me this time.

What do you create?

Mostly hand knit scarves, but also crocheted luxury cowls and flower brooches.

How did you get started?

My grandmother taught me to crochet when I was 7 years old, and I taught myself to knit when I was 21. I've always been making something with yarn and needles.

What is unique about your products?
Probably the materials. The brighter the color, the better. I prefer to seek out original and unique wool yarns that are handspun and handdyed by other artisans, that way no two of my creations are ever the same. I also buy yarns that are rescued or reclaimed from old sweaters, and knit up new things to give the yarn a new life.

What has been your biggest challenge in developing your business?Learning the best sort of advertising strategies to get my name out there. Selling my wares in Florida is pretty difficult, but selling to colder climates and internationally really helps move my items

.

What is your favorite feature on Etsy?

The clean, uniform look of every shop, and how they are all the same. I like the consistency from shop to shop.

What other interests do you have?

I'm very interested in garbage and the waste stream, I play clarinet quite well, and I have a great interest in native Florida plants and their bird/butterfly associations.

Where in Florida do you live?

St Petersburg, since 2001, I love the downtown, I love that it is near the ocean, and I love the thrift stores.

What animal would you like to be?

My cat, Gray Kitty. He is either all go or all stop. And he is gone for most of the day. I really want to know where he goes, what he does, where he sleeps, and what is going on in his mind. He is an All American kitty.

Beautiful scarves!

Makes me wish we had more cold snaps here in Florida!

September Challenge "Happy Birthday"

Tweet I know we are late getting started but our Team Fest challenge contests are so much FUN!
Especially since I just found out I won the last one! -
With my SPARKLEY pincushion doll Julia!
(My feature is in the works.)
For September the challenge theme is "Happy Birthday".
Use your crafty talents and list your entries here ASAP, of course we will be extending the deadline, since we got a late start, to September 28th.
Ready,............. Get set..........Go!

Interview with Glimpses&Remains, Inc.

Tweet Meet Drew of Glimpes&Remains, Inc.

Who are you?
My close friends call me a ‘jack-of-all-trades’ artist but I don’t know if I agree.
What I do know is that my brain seems to have a conflict of interests, meaning part of me is complete artist – not caring whether or not what I’m creating at the time is paying the bills or taking care of my family or reaching toward an obtainable goal.
The other part is the scientific, investigative brain which loves doing math, analyzing things and reading non-fiction. That side taps the other side to fantasize about having the money and storage space to make ordering things in a larger bulk feasible (to keep costs lower). That side is the degree-collector which studies things like business and criminology.
What do you create?
I mostly create photographic prints and stationery (letter sets/cards) featuring my photography. I love photographing everything with every type of camera I can get my hands on (and find film for). I also really enjoy painting and ceramics. The paintings these days seem to be largely things that show up in my dreams and daydreams, little snippets of weirdness that show up and won’t leave me alone until I at least sketch them out somewhere.
The ceramics is more of an expensive form of relaxation therapy which results in bowls and mugs I can serve dinner in or my husband can use as candle holders. Writing is also a huge part of me. Occasionally I make my own jewelry, sew, or craft with found objects or supplies I find around the house.

How did you get started?
I’ve been taking pictures for about as long as I can remember. When I was little, I had a Kodak Instant Camera until they lost their lawsuit and I had to give it up for a little disc camera.
My husband and friends have been pestering me for years to do something with the thousands of negatives I’ve accumulated . There are binders full of black-and-white photos and film from my college days and boxes of Polaroids and whole hard drives of digital photos and digitized photos.
I started Glimpses & Remains officially as a business in early 2008. At first, I started building my own website, but decided Etsy was a better way to test the market.
What is unique about your products?
When I asked a friend what she thought of this question, basically while I was hemming and hawing and sipping Merlot, she responds with, “I don’t think that your work is influenced much by current trends, the media or other artists and that, alone, makes your products unique.”
The reason for the hemming and hawing is because with photography, you’re capturing an image that is there for one of two reasons: it is there because someone else or something else put it there or you’re capturing something you thought up and set up. One feels more original than the other in theory, but at the same time, a lot of “set up” photography is fashion or beauty oriented – sort of the opposite of a lot of my rusty fences and doll parts.
What has been your biggest challenge in developing your business?
Focus and time. When I’m supposed to be shooting photos, I’m painting. When I’m supposed to be writing, I’m reading. When I’m supposed to be finishing a painting, I’m baking cookies or experimenting with tofu. When I want to be writing or editing photos or reading or baking or painting or gardening, I’m probably at work or having to run errands or grumbling through laundry and dish-washing. I need a clone.
What other interests do you have?
Coffee, reading, and wine (not necessarily that order). Also I enjoy – well, I need – exercise. I also like gardening and cooking/baking.
Where do you live?
I live in Fort Lauderdale. I’ve been here since moving from North Carolina after high school about a hundred million years ago (okay, 1995). I like the diversity of culture and food and entertainment, etc., but occasionally I like to retreat to my husband’s family’s native Maine for a little back-to-basics nature stuff.
What are some other sites to find out more about you ?
MyBlog:
http://glimpsesandremains.wordpress.com/
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/GlimpsesRemains/100168388112
Handmade Highway exit:
http://handmadehighway.blogspot.com/2009/08/glimpses-and-remains-art-paper-goods.html

Have you ever been fired from a job?
I wasn’t really fired, but I was laid off once from an automotive advertising company. The place was one of those offices where you feel like you’re working in a sitcom – which, by the way, is much funnier to watch than to live.People would walk around in bunny slippers, some drunk and high: there was a woman who passed around nude pictures of herself thinking it would get her ahead; another guy who hired body guards because he thought the mob was after him; an accountant who dressed like an extra cousin from The Munsters; a guy whose parents bought him into the company because they were afraid he’d mess up their business;and a woman who got bored and threw pencils and X-acto knives at the ceiling tiles. All in all, it was kind of a relief to get laid off.

What makes you laugh? There is also an essay by Augusten Burroughs about Junior Mints that is hysterical to me.Fart jokes and that men-are-from Mars stereotype kind of things just don’t tickle me – probably because I married a man raised by his mother to be a neat freak, sensitive, a hard worker, caring and smart; and my father wanted a boy so I know how to change tires even in 3” open-toed pumps (the trick is WD-40 and jumping on the crow bar a couple of times).

It was very hard to pick only 3 items from Drew's shop. She has so many interesting photographs and cards. You must go and enjoy them all!

Interview With JeniLuScraps

Tweet Meet Georgi (aka Lu) of JeniLuScraps.

Who are you?

I'm a retired legal secretary who moved here with my wonderful DH a couple of years ago from Michigan. I'm actually one-half of JeniLuScraps ~ my daughter Jen (still in Michigan) is the other half.

What do you create?

love creating useful things out of fabric ~ wallets, pouches, key fobs, and a bag here and there. I have a couple of friends that belong to motorcycle clubs, and I created a little pouch for them that hooks onto their belt loops to keep things safe and handy for them when they're riding. The ones I've made were all special orders so I haven't listed any of those yet ~ soon, I hope!

How did you get started?

When I was working full-time, my dream was to stay home and sew. I had sewn a bit when my daughters were small ~ but, once I started working, my sewing/crafting went to the back burner.

What is unique about your products?

I love to scour the thrift stores for interesting patterned fabrics that I don't see every day at the fabric stores. Besides making things out of fabrics that are unique, I like to think that I'm being "green" by recycling clothes.

What has been your biggest challenge in developing your business?

I've always been on the shy side, so just putting myself out there has been a challenge for me. I'd love to say "THANKS!" to all of you who have made this journey so worthwhile ~ it's been a blast "meeting" so many wonderful people in the Etsy community.

What is your favorite feature on Etsy?

I love browsing the Treasuries and drooling over all that's out there ~ and I always love to read the Featured Seller interviews to see how other people got started and how their creative process works.

What other interests do you have?

I love to read (just a kid at heart, really ~ loved the Twilight and Harry Potter series!). And I'll have to admit that I love playing video poker ~ Vegas is my favorite destination now that I live here.

Where in Florida do you live?

My DH and I retired in August 2007 and moved to Bonita Springs soon after that to be close to both our moms who live here full-time. Coming from Michigan where it seems to be gray skies 6-9 months out of the year, I love the sunshine down here where I get some much-needed Vitamin D every day. Aside from that, just the beauty of the birds, trees and flowers ~ do you ever get tired of that?

What are some other sites to find out more about you ?

I try to keep my fabric stash up to date on Flickr, along with a few pics of other things (like my biker bags): http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeniluscraps

I'm also on Twitter:

http://twitter.com/jeniluscraps

What was you worst crafting disaster?

I don't know if you could call it a "crafting" disaster, but the first craft show we did was a total bust ~ we didn't sell one thing! Talk about discouraging.

What animal would you like to be for one day and why?

I'd love to be a giraffe for a day ~ they're so graceful and they have gorgeous eyelashes.

What makes you laugh?

My husband and my kids have all been blessed with a great sense of humor ~ they always make me laugh! Our favorite thing to do is to play games when we all get together ~ can't tell you how many times I've almost peed my pants! (Can I say that here?)

Choose a movie title to sum up your life’s story.

"Enchanted" ~ I met my husband a little later in life and he changed it completely ~ for the better of course!

I really enjoyed choosing pics for this interview! The fabrics in her shop are really unique,....go and check them out!

Interview With DevineDesignsJewelry

Tweet Meet Cindy of DevineDesignsJewelry

Who are you?

I am a veterinary technician by trade;started making jewelry a little over a year ago. I have always been creative, ( I used to sew and make swimsuits for friends). I went to beauty school a long time ago, with the intention of becoming a make-up artist, but never did pursue that career.

What do you create?

I make wire, metal, and beaded jewelry designs. Mostly in sterling silver or copper, with artisan made lamp work beads and/or gemstone beads.

How did you get started?

I am a jewelry junkie. Have always been buying artisan made jewelry, and always wanting to tweak a piece to my liking. While in Target, I was looking at some beading magazines, decided to buy one, bought some supplies, really enjoyed creating, and the rest,as they say, is history.

What is unique about your jewelry?

I try to make my jewelry items different than any thing you may have seen. I only make a piece once, so my jewelry is "one of a kind". I am a member of Self-representing jewelry artists: SRAJD#1658.

What has challenged you?

I think my biggest challenge has been the economic crisis of the past year.

What is you favorite feature on etsy?

My favorite feature on Etsy, I would have to say is The Storque, because you can find so much information there. How to set up your shop, business advise, & features on shop owners.

What other interests do you have?

Reading, yoga, my cats, tattoos, mythology, the beauty of nature & shopping!

Where do you live?

I'm in Tarpon Springs; been here 15 years now, originally from just outside of Philadelphia, Pa.

Where else can we find out more about you?

My blog:

http://www.devinedesignsjewelry.blogspot.com/

See previous work, sold pieces, and other stuff: http://www.flickr.com/photos/devinedesignsjewelry/

View my gallery: http://www.jewelryartists.org/devinedesignsjewelryhttp://homebasedjewelers.gotop100.com/in.php?ref=163

and most recently: Devinedesignsjewelry.artfire.com and Devinedesignsjewelry.1000markets.com

What Super power would you like to have?

I would have to say that I have a fondness for Wonder Woman. So not so much 1 super power, but I love the whole idea of a strong woman, capable of doing any thing, including physical strength, bullet proof (loved those bracelets!) And the power to make people tell the truth, now that's something! Although I'm not sure I would want to know every body's thoughts!

Cindy's jewels are beautifully made with intricate details and color schemes! Go browse her shop and enjoy the various styles all in one location!